20th NEWSLETTER

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

We are pleased to present the Society's 20th Newsletter.

The European Society of Neurosonology and Cerebral Hemodynamics (ESNCH) continues to be the most successful neurosonology group in the world, and is strongly connected to the pan-european scientific community. In particular we are building even stronger ties with the European Stroke Organization (ESO), the European Academy of Neurology (EAN), as well as the European Federation of Societies for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology (EFSUMB): within the annual conference of each of these societies, we are organizing courses/workshops/symposia. As a growing scientific society not limited by political or geographical boundaries, we also collaborate with the Neurosonology Research Group (NSRG) in order to create a network for all young neurologists who can benefit for being members of both societies and gain the International Certification in Neurosonology.

The ESNCH defines the neurovascular standards in Europe and beyond. An important part of its mission is to promote scientific research, education and training all over Europe. The ESNCH supports the International Conference on Neurosonology and Cerebral Hemodynamics held annually in changing European countries and the International Residential Training Course in Neurosonology, which is held every two years across Europe. These events have set high scientific standards, positioning these meetings as the hallmark location to discuss neurosonology, bringing together the world's experts in investigating cerebral hemodynamics. The advantages for our members are numerous: in a familiar atmosphere, they get the latest news and the highest level of knowledge on the clinical meaning of ultrasound in acute and chronic cerebrovascular diseases, as well as clinically relevant applications of Neurosonology in the fields of movement disorders and peripheral neuropathies. Overall, our meetings represent the number one forum for the transfer of new ideas and an excellent platform for young researchers to present their work, gain experience and start a scientific collaboration.

Last year the main event of our Society was the 20th Meeting of the ESNCH that took place from the May 8th to May 11th 2015 in Zadar (Croatia). It was organized by the Departments of Neurology of the University Hospital Center Zagreb and Zadar General Hospital under the auspices of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Croatia. Prof. Branko Malojcic was the meeting Chair, while the co-Chair was Prof. Anamarija Mrden. The aim of the meeting was to focus on innovations in science, technical progress, clinical applications, and in improving clinical practice of neurosonology and stroke management. It was an inspiring meeting both scientifically and socially. Altogether, 259 participants from 38 countries attended the Meeting which was extended to 5 days as it included one day of the Zadar Summer School of Neurosonology and Stroke Management before the official program. It was a good introduction into the Tutorials of the ESNCH. In fact, both basic and advanced teaching courses were very well attended: 11 tutorial lectures, 85 participants in the basic and 83 in the advanced tutorial. The main scientific program comprised 29 invited lectures, 20 oral presentations and 68 posters out of which the best 4 were selected and properly awarded. Finally, 45 participants registered for the Examination to obtain the International Certification in Neurosonology (teaching level) and 10 passed. At the exhibition area, 11 companies presented their newest ultrasound systems and medical products. Some of the presented diagnostic systems made their first appearance in front of the neurosonological audience.

Being not so famous as other locations on the Croatian coast, Zadar surprised all participants with its beauty and hospitality during the social events that were very well organized on every single day of the Meeting.

Another important scientific event for our Society was the 4th International Training Course in Neurosonology, which was held from September 3rd to September 5th 2015 in Cluj (Romania) at the "RoNeuro" Institute for Neurological Research and Diagnostic. It was a successful event, organized superbly by Chairman Prof. Dafin Muresanu. There were 30 participants, not only Romanian but also from Norway and Kazakistan. All participants had the opportunity to better their skills with the help of our very qualified trainers, especially during the hands-on sessions.

In 2016, the main event of our Society will be the 21th ESNCH Conference that will take place in Budapest (Hungary) from the 13th to the 16th of May. Budapest is often referred to as "The pearl of the Danube" and is one of the most fascinating cities in the world, providing an extraordinary location for the ESNCH 2016 Meeting. Peaceful and bustling, a big metropolis and yet friendly, it treasures the old and embraces the new. This city offers a unique cultural and historic atmosphere that will certainly encourage networking and friendship among all who attend. Professors Laszlo Németh, Gyula Pánczél, Attila Csányi, and Laszlo Oláh, respectively Chairman, Co-Chairman, Head of Scientific Committee, and Tutorial Program Organizer will be supported by a very wise Scientific Advisor, Prof. Laszlo Csiba. Their experience in organizing neurosonology courses and meetings will assure a very high scientific standard to the conference. The aim of the meeting will be focusing on innovations in science, technical progress, clinical applications, and in improving clinical practice of neurosonology and stroke management. It will be a unique opportunity to bring together clinicians, scientists, technicians, ultrasound and health care industry. As a tradition, basic and advanced teaching courses on Doppler- and duplex ultrasonography of cerebral vessels will be offered to delegates, who will be encouraged to have a very close cooperation with the experts in order to bring home an unforgettable practical experience. They will also be given the possibility to gain the International Certificate in Neurosonology. For more details, you can visit the meeting website: www.neurosonology2016.hu . We trust that the scientific level of the program and the extraordinary location will stimulate many to actively participate in the Meeting.

The ESNCH encourages all members to actively support implementation of ultrasound in local stroke programs and to send to our webmaster, Prof. J. Klingelhöfer (neurologie@skc.de), announcements of upcoming events and conference reports, as well as your best case of the month for publication on our website: www.esnch.org

ESNCH is a democratic organisation: the voice of all our members is important and their ideas are invaluable. During the General Assembly at the 2016 ESNCH Conference in Budapest, 3 new officers of the Executive Committee will be elected. Prof. David Russell, our founding President and chairman of the Nominating Committee, will solicit the proposals of the members of our Society for these three positions. The candidates must be fully paid members of the ESNCH. Proposals should include a short half page CV summary of the member proposed and a confirmation that the candidate is willing to accept the position if elected. All proposals should be sent to the chairman of the ESNCH Election Committee, Prof. David Russell: E-mail: david.russell@medisin.uio.no before May 12 2016.

We also invite all our members to send their e-mail address to our treasurer Matthias.Sturzenegger@insel.ch and to our secretary claudiobaracchini@gmail.com in order to be kept updated on all current ESNCH activities. The latest result of a great effort is represented by the Manual of Neurosonology just recently published.
Authored and edited by international experts, this practical manual will represent an invaluable resource for neurologists, neurosurgeons, intensivists, radiologists and ultrasonographers, as this guide looks beyond the use of neurovascular ultrasound in stroke to encompass a wide range of other neurological diseases and emergencies. It offers a practical approach to the examination of patients, interpretation of ultrasound studies, and the application of neurosonology to the development of management and treatment strategies. Each chapter incorporates a thorough and dear procedural methodology alongside scanning tips for trainees; this step-by-step approach is further enhanced by example images and focused diagnostic questions. We believe it will also be an important reference for all those young colleagues studying for the International Certification in Neurosonology.

We wish you all a very successful year and we are looking forward to seeing you in Budapest.